Method and apparatus for providing flitches to an edger

ABSTRACT

An edger feed apparatus and method of feeding flitches into an edger are disclosed. The flitches are positioned with minimal spacing between successive flitches and with flitches positioned and the edger adjusted so as to yield a maximum value of lumber from each flitch. The edger feed apparatus may include a fetcher assembly to hold a second flitch in an edger ready position while a portion of the first flitch is directed below on an edger infeed mechanism being transported to the edger. The fetcher assembly releases the second flitch on to the edger infeed mechanism when the first flitch has moved clear from beneath the edger ready position. The edger feed apparatus additionally includes a scanner system for creating and storing a digital three-dimensional model of each flitch for determining a sawing solution to be implemented by the edger.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/438,005 filed on Jun. 11, 2019 and entitled “Method andApparatus for Feeding an Edger,” which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/683,509 filed on Jun. 11,2018 and entitled “Method and Apparatus for Feeding an Edger.” Thecomplete disclosures of the above applications are hereby incorporatedby reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to processing wood products, and inparticular to apparatus and a method for feeding flitches into an edgerso as to optimize production of marketable lumber from the flitches.

When a log is sawed in the process of producing lumber a cant or cantsare produced from the central portion of the log by removing slabs andflitches from sides of the log, usually in a way to maximize themarketable amount of lumber that can be produced from the cants.Flitches removed from the sides of the log may include wane that can beremoved by an edger to obtain marketable lumber from each flitch.

An edger typically includes several parallel circular saw blades spacedat standard distances, or in some cases adjustably spaced, along anarbor. Sets of powered bottom rollers and press rollers are arranged torun a flitch longitudinally through the edger saws to producestandard-sized boards and remove edge portions that have no commercialvalue as lumber.

In conventional practice, an edger operator manually places each flitchonto infeed rollers of an edger in a position estimated to provide themaximum amount of marketable lumber from a particular flitch, in somecases with the assistance of laser guidelines. In such conventionaledger operation flitches are delivered serially and longitudinally intoa preliminary position where the edger operator must adjust its positionand orientation before edger infeed rollers pinch the flitch and deliverit into the saw blades. As a result, there is a significant gap betweenthe tail end of a flitch being sawn in the edger and the head end of thenext flitch to enter the edger saw blades.

As a result of the gaps between flitches being fed into an edger, theremay be a significant delay, or dead time, of as much as a few secondsbetween flitches going through an edger. The output of an edger could besignificantly increased by reducing the space between the tail of oneflitch and the head end of the next flitch, thus reducing the dead timebetween successive flitches.

What is desired, then, is a way to reduce the dead time between flitchesbeing sent through an edger, and at the same time to maximize theproduction of marketable lumber from flitches by ensuring that they arelocated and oriented, as they pass through an edger, so as to produceboards calculated to result in the maximum value of marketable boardsfrom each flitch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As an answer to some of the needs explained above, an edger feedingapparatus and a method of feeding flitches into an edger with only aminimum spacing and dead time between successive flitches are disclosedhereinbelow and defined in the claims that form a part of thedisclosure.

In one embodiment of the apparatus disclosed herein, a feed line, alsocalled a scanner and carriage assembly (or carriage assembly), movesindividual flitches laterally, in a direction transverse to the lengthof each flitch, and a scanning system associated with the feed linemeasures each flitch and creates and stores a digital three-dimensionalmodel of each flitch. The flitches are moved to a transfer readyposition at an outfeed end of the scanner and carriage assembly inreadiness to be transferred laterally to an edger ready position nearthe infeed end of an edger and a small distance above the edger infeedmechanism. Transfer of successive flitches to the edger infeed mechanismis accomplished in a much shorter time than by moving each flitchlongitudinally after another.

In one embodiment of the apparatus, a scanning system is associated withthe edger infeed mechanism downstream from a fetcher assembly to createand store a digital three-dimensional model of each flitch. In oneembodiment of the apparatus, a first scanning system is associated withthe feed line to create and store a digital three-dimensional model ofeach flitch, and a second scanning system is associated with the edgerinfeed mechanism downstream from a fetcher assembly to verify theposition of the flitch on the edger infeed mechanism prior to the flitcharriving at the edger to determine if the saw positions based on thesawing solution from the three-dimensional model need to be adjusted.

In one embodiment of the apparatus, a control computer keeps the digitalmodels of the flitches in memory in a queue specifically identifying thethree-dimensional model of each flitch. Based on, for example,tabulations of the commercial values of different sizes and qualities ofboards, the control computer determines how each flitch should belocated and oriented on the edger infeed mechanism as it proceedslongitudinally through the edger, to produce the most valuable yield oflumber from that flitch. Alternatively, or additionally, the controlcomputer determines a sawing solution based on three-dimensional modeland the expected or actual position of each flitch on a conveyor belt ofthe edger infeed mechanism.

In one embodiment of the apparatus, each flitch is stopped in a transferready holding position and then is engaged to be moved by a chargersubassembly. Each charger subassembly includes a lower flitch carriermember spaced apart from another along the length of the flitch, andeach flitch carrier member includes a turntable portion which can engagethe bottom of the flitch. A respective upper contact pad is moved downby an actuator to press the flitch onto the turntable portion of theflitch carrier member. The upper contact pad is positioned locateddirectly above the turntable portion of the flitch carrier member. Theflitch carriers are moved to carry the flitch laterally to the edgerready position, in a desired location and orientation above the edgerinfeed mechanism in a very short time. Each of the upper contact pads iscontrolled to move together with and remain aligned with the turntableof its corresponding flitch carrier member as the feed forks and contactpads move the flitch to the desired edger ready position with respect toan infeed mechanism of the edger that will result in the maximumcommercial value of the boards that can be obtained from that flitch.

For example, an edge portion may be removed from each edge of a flitch,leaving a single dimensional board with four flat sides. For anotherflitch the control computer may direct the feed forks to orient andposition the flitch where the edger will produce one board with fourflat sides and another, lower grade, board with one edge surfaceincluding acceptable wane, depending upon the shape of the digital modelof the flitch that has been produced by the control computer as resultof scanning the flitch. Yet another flitch may be oriented andpositioned so that when it proceeds through the edger two boards withacceptable wane will be produced.

In one embodiment of the apparatus, when a flitch is positioned abovethe infeed mechanism, a set of tipples adjacent the infeed mechanism ismoved upward and into supporting contact with the underside of theflitch. At the same time, an infeed press roller associated with atipple is lowered into contact with the upper side of the flitch, so theflitch is held in the correct location. Once the flitch has been graspedand is held by the tipples and the press rollers the flitch carriermembers and the upper contact pads release the flitch and are retracted.The infeed press rollers keep the flitch in the desired orientation andlocation established by the carrier members and pressure pads and incontact with and supported by the tipples.

Once a preceding flitch has been moved far enough toward the edger sawsthe tipples are lowered and the accompanying infeed press rollers areraised, moving the flitch in the direction of movement of the infeedmechanism and lowering the flitch onto the infeed mechanism. In oneembodiment of the invention the control computer takes into account thetime that may be required to adjust the positions of the edger sawblades after the preceding flitch has cleared, while the flitch issupported and held by the tipples and press roller. The flitch is thenlowered onto the edger infeed mechanism at a calculated time and in acontrolled fashion so as to come into contact with the edger infeedmechanism in the position and orientation that has been calculated bythe control computer to result in producing boards of optimum value fromthat flitch.

In one embodiment of the apparatus, each flitch is stopped in a transferready holding position and then is engaged to be moved by one or morefetcher subassemblies. Each fetcher assembly includes one or two sets offetchers, with each set of fetcher having a left-hand (LH) dog and aright-hand (RH) dog. First sets of LH and RH dogs move toward each otherto grip a first flitch and then move the first flitch from a transferready position to an edger ready position spaced upwardly apart from theedger infeed mechanism. Second sets of LH and RH dogs move toward eachother to grip a second flitch. The first sets of LH and/or RH dogs moveapart to release the first flitch from the edger ready position onto aconveyor belt of the edger infeed mechanism. The first sets of LH and RHdogs pivot about 90 degrees to a stow position, allowing the second setsof LH and RH dogs to move the second flitch from the transfer readyposition to the edger ready position such that a portion of the firstflitch is on a part of the conveyor belt that is directly below thesecond flitch in the edger ready position. When the first flitch hasmoved clear from beneath the edger ready position, the second sets of LHand/or RH dogs move apart to release the second flitch from the edgerready position onto the conveyor belt of the edger infeed mechanism.

In accordance with one aspect of a method disclosed herein, then, eachof a series of flitches is scanned, a queue of three-dimensional modelsis produced, and the control computer calculates a position and anorientation for each flitch so as to feed the flitch into the edger andthus produce the optimal yield of lumber from the flitch. When a flitchreaches the final position on the feedline, or carriage assembly, whereit is the next in line to be sent through the edger, it is moved by theflitch carrier members to a predetermined orientation and position abovethe edger infeed mechanism. When a preceding flitch has moved out of theway the flitch is engaged by tipples and pressure rollers and the flitchcarrier members are retracted.

After a preceding flitch has moved a calculated distance toward theedger saws the flitch may be lowered onto the edger infeed chain andmoved to where it can be engaged by infeed rollers of the edger. If theflitch is to be sawn into a different number of boards or into boards ofwidths or locations within the flitch that are different from thepreceding flitch the amount of time required to adjust the edger saws istaken into account in determining when to move the flitch from the readyposition to be engaged by the edger infeed mechanism.

The foregoing and other objectives and features of the invention will bemore readily understood upon consideration of the following detaileddescription of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an example of an edger feed apparatusaccording to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a view of a portion of FIG. 1 , at an enlarged scale.

FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of a portion of the apparatusshown in FIG. 1 , taken along lines 3-3 in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway rear elevational of the apparatus shown inFIG. 1 , taken along lines 4-4 in FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view of a portion of the apparatussimilar to that shown in FIG. 3 , at an enlarged scale and showing aflitch ready to be moved into position to be fed into the edger.

FIG. 6 is a view of a portion of the apparatus similar to that shown inFIG. 5 , showing a flitch being held in an edger ready station above theedger infeed mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 , showing a tipple raised intoposition to support the flitch in the edger ready station.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 , showing the tipple supporting theflitch and the feed fork and pressure pad moved toward a transfer readyposition at the delivery end of the scanner and, carriage assembly

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 5 , showing the flitch after beinglowered onto the edger infeed mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view, taken in the direction of line 10-10in FIG. 6 , showing a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4 , at anenlarged scale, with a flitch in the transfer ready position and with arear main plate of the apparatus shown in phantom view to discloseportions of the apparatus that otherwise would be hidden.

FIG. 11A is a somewhat schematic top plan view taken in the direction ofthe line 11A-11A in FIG. 10 , showing a portion of the charger assemblyat the outfeed end of the scanner and carriage assembly, showing theposition of engagement of a flitch by the feed forks.

FIG. 11B is a view similar to that of FIG. 11A showing the flitch in aposition of readiness to be lowered onto the edger infeed mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a view of the portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 10 ,showing a flitch being supported by tipples and held in the edger readyposition or station by infeed press rollers with the lower chargermechanisms and press pads disengaged from the flitch.

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12 , but showing the flitch resting ona sharpchain portion of the edger infeed mechanism with the tippleslowered and the infeed press rollers pressing the flitch onto the infeedmechanism sharpchain, while the lower charger mechanisms and press padshave engaged a following flitch at the transfer ready position.

FIG. 14 is a simplified front elevational view of the edger shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 .

FIG. 15 is a somewhat schematic view showing saw blades of the edgershown in FIG. 14 and apparatus for moving the saw blades along an arborof the edger.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of a flitch showing the positions of saw cutson the flitch according to a sawing solution developed by the controlcomputer.

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a different flitch from that shown in FIG.16 , and showing the planned cuts according to a sawing solution forthat flitch.

FIG. 18A-18D are a functional flowchart of a functional operationalsequence for operation of the edger feed apparatus shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of the control signal paths between some ofthe sensors and control and flitch-moving portions of the apparatus.

FIG. 20 is a timing diagram showing movements of components involved intransferring a scanned flitch from the outfeed end of the scanner andcarriage assembly onto the sharpchain of the edger infeed mechanism, andthen carrying the flitch into the edger.

FIG. 21 is an isometric view of another example of an edger feedapparatus according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a side view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 21 ,taken along lines 22-22 in FIG. 21 .

FIGS. 23-24 are isometric views of a fetcher subassembly having dualsets of fetchers of the edger feed apparatus of FIG. 21 .

FIGS. 25-26 are end views of the fetcher assembly of FIG. 22 shownwithout a cover.

FIG. 27 is an isometric view of a fetcher assembly having only a singlepair of dogs of the edger feed apparatus of FIG. 21 .

FIGS. 28-38 are partial sectional of the edger feed apparatus of FIG. 21taken along lines 22-22 in FIG. 21 or partial top views of the edgerfeed apparatus of FIG. 21 , showing without covers to show movement offlitches from a transfer ready position, to an edger ready position, andonto the edger infeed mechanism.

FIGS. 39A-39E is a functional flowchart of a functional operationalsequence for operation of the edger feed apparatus shown in FIG. 21 .

FIG. 40 is a block diagram of the control signal paths between some ofthe sensors and control and flitch-moving portions of the edger feedapparatus shown in FIG. 21 .

FIG. 41 is a timing diagram showing movements of components involved intransferring a flitch from the outfeed end of the carriage assembly ontothe conveyor belt of the edger infeed mechanism, and then carrying theflitch into the edger.

FIG. 42 is an isometric view of a further example of an edger feedapparatus according to the present disclosure.

FIGS. 43A-43E is a functional flowchart of a functional operationalsequence for operation of the edger feed apparatus shown in FIG. 42 .

FIG. 44 is a block diagram of the control signal paths between some ofthe sensors and control and flitch-moving portions of the edger feedapparatus shown in FIG. 42 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings that form a part of thedisclosure herein, an edger 20 and an edger feed apparatus 21 thatincludes an edger infeed mechanism 22 arranged to deliver a flitch ofwood 24, 26, 28, or 30, etc. into the edger 20. The edger 20 includes aset of edger saws 31 that are spaced apart from each other so as toproduce a board or set of boards from a flitch 24, etc., while removingbark-covered wane portions of the flitch that are of no commercial valueas lumber. Unless explicitly stated, edger feed apparatus 21 mayadditionally, or alternatively, include one or more components of one ormore other edger feed apparatus of the present disclosure. Edger infeedmechanism 22 is controlled and operated by various sensors and servosystems shown schematically in FIG. 19 .

Edger feed apparatus 21 further includes a scanner and carriage assembly32, that also may be called a feedline or carriage assembly, has astructural frame 34 oriented to deliver flitches 24, 26, etc. to theedger 20 by moving each flitch laterally, that is, in the direction ofthe arrow 36, perpendicular to the length 38 of each flitch 24, 26, etc.The flitches are arranged side-by-side, lying flat and with theirlengths oriented generally parallel with the arrow 40, indicating thedirection in the direction of which each flitch will pass longitudinallythrough the edger 20. An end of each flitch that will be the leading end41 as the flitch enters the edger is aligned with a lumber line 42, atthe right-hand end of the scanner and carriage assembly 32 as seen inFIG. 1 . The flitches may be loaded onto the scanner and carrierassembly 32 manually or by conventional loading apparatus that need notbe disclosed herein.

Depending upon the amount of manual labor that will be acceptable, thescanner and carriage assembly 32 may include a scanner (not shown)capable of discovering whether a wane side of a flitch is up or down. Aflitch turning mechanism 46 mentioned in FIG. 18A, may be included inthe feed line assembly 32 to turn flitches over as necessary for thewane side 48 of each flitch 24, etc. to face upward. Such a mechanism iswell known and need not be described herein. Flitches located on thescanner and carriage assembly are desirably oriented with the narrower,or waned, face of each facing upward to be measured by the scannersystem 44 in determining how to edge the flitch.

The frame 34 of the feed chain or scanner and carriage 32 assembly orscanner and carriage 30 includes a group of feed rail assemblies 50 thatare oriented horizontally and parallel with each other, separated fromone another by a distance 52 that is somewhat less than the length ofthe shortest flitch intended to be fed to the edger 20. For example, thefeed rail assemblies 50 may be spaced apart from each other by adistance corresponding to a standard board length intended to beproduced. As shown in FIG. 1 , there are four feed rail assemblies 50 inthe scanner and carriage assembly 32.

Endless loop feed chains 54 of which there are four shown in FIG. 1 ,are engaged with appropriate sprockets so as to move in respectiveparallel vertical planes. The endless feed chains 54 are arranged to bedriven synchronously by drive sprockets carried on a chain drive shaft58, as best seen in FIG. 3 . An upper portion of each of the endlesschains 54 may be disposed horizontally and ride along the top of arespective one of the feed rail assemblies 50 to support flitches 24,26, etc. and move them along the feed rail assemblies 50 toward theedger infeed mechanism 22, spaced apart from each other by a desireddistance. The feed chains 54 are driven to move continuously to carrythe flitches 24, 26, etc. toward the edger infeed mechanism 22.

Six sets of hooks 60, seen in FIG. 1 , extend across the direction ofmovement of the feed chains. They are carried on pivoted arms 62 and arearranged to be raised and lowered periodically to let each flitch 24,26, etc. move in steps through predetermined distance along the scannerand carriage assembly 32 toward the edger infeed mechanism 22, and tokeep the flitches separated from each other. When a set of hooks 60 israised and obstructs one of the flitches the feed chains 54 continue tomove, but the links of the feed chains preferably have smooth straightouter surfaces that can slide along the bottom face of a flitch 24, etc.without causing damage when the flitch is held stationary by one of thesets of hooks 60. At the same time, however, the flitches 24, 26, 28,etc. are engaged by the feed chains 54 with sufficient friction thateach flitch is carried with negligible slippage when the flitch is notobstructed by a set of the hooks 60.

As may be seen in FIG. 1 , there may be six sets of hooks, spaced apartby a convenient distance such as 30 inches that may be designedaccordingly to the size of flitches installed to be handled. As a flitchis carried along the scanner and carriage assembly 32 it is stoppedmomentarily at each set of hooks 60, which may be called hook stop #1,or hook stop #2, etc. Various functions may be carried out at each hookstop or between one hook stop and the next, as will be explained ingreater detail below.

The arms 62 carrying the ones of a set of hooks 60 may all be mounted ona shaft 64 extending transversely of the scanner and carriage, or feedline, assembly, thus parallel with the length of a flitch on the scannerand carriage assembly. Each such shaft 64 may be rotated through a fewdegrees in either direction by a respective lever 66 that is moved ineither direction by suitable means such as inflation and deflation ofthe ones of a respective pair of airbags 68, for example, as may be seenin FIG. 3 .

The flitch measuring scanner system 44, not shown in detail, issupported on a scanner support structure 70 extending above the scannerand carriage assembly 32. The scanner support structure 70 is longenough to permit passage of the longest flitch intended to be handled bythe edger infeed mechanism. The scanner system 44 may include a scannerarray 72 of several laser scanners, and is located between hook stop #4and hook stop #5 along the scanner and carriage assembly 32, where eachflitch 24, 26, etc. can be scanned precisely as it is carried along thefeed rail assemblies 50 by the feed chains 54. The scanner array 72 may,for example, measure a flitch on a grid of points spaced at0.035″×0.035″ separation on all surfaces of the flitch. The scannerarray 72 is connected functionally to a control computer 74, as shown inFIG. 19 . Digital data derived from scanning each flitch 24, 26, etc. isdelivered to the control computer 74, as by a suitable data cable (notshown).

The control computer 74 is adapted to receive the digital data from thescanner array 72 and to compile it as a digital three-dimensional model,such as a wireframe model, of each flitch. The three-dimensional modelof a flitch may preferably be prepared to a resolution of 0.001 inch, toidentify the boundaries of the flat upper face of each flitch, where theflitch begins to wane, and the control computer 74 utilizes the digitalthree-dimensional model as a basis for deciding what parts of the flitchshould be removed by the edger 20. An optimizer section 76 of thecontrol computer 74 incorporates a database which may include atabulation of many different sizes, types, and grades of lumber and thecurrent value of each. The control computer 74 may be programmed todetermine from the three-dimensional model what boards of which gradescan be produced from a particular flitch 24, for example, which parts ofthe flitch should be removed by the edger and how to cut the remainingportion of the flitch into pieces which can result in an optimum valueof marketable lumber. A sawing solution is then developed by the controlcomputer 74 and conforming instructions and data may be communicatedamong the various elements of the edger 20, the scanner and carriageassembly 32, and the edger feed mechanism 22 using a programmable logiccontroller 77 so that the flitch will be sawed accordingly by the edger20. The sawing solution may include instructions to require the edger toadjust the positions of individual ones of the various saw blades.

The digital three-dimensional flitch models are retained in digitalmemory by the control computer 74, and are coordinated with data fromthe feed chains 54, making three-dimensional model of each flitch 24,26, 28, or 30, etc. the size and shape of each flitch available for useby the control computer 74 when the flitch reaches a transfer readyposition 78, in hook stop #6, at the outfeed end of the scanner andcarriage, or feedline, assembly 32.

Edger feed apparatus 21 further includes a charger assembly 88 locatedat the outfeed end of the scanner and carriage assembly 32 to transfereach flitch to an edger infeed mechanism. The charger assembly includesa charger subassembly 82, 84, 86, and 88, each conveniently associatedwith one of the feed chains 54. The charger subassemblies forconvenience will be called charger sets numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4, as seenin right-to-left order in FIG. 1 . Each charger set 82, etc. includes arespective lower charger beam 90 supported by the frame 34 of thescanner and carriage assembly 32, and each such beam 90 is attached tothe frame 34 by a pivot 92 near a rear, or inner, end of the beam 90. Anelongate charger lower flitch support member 94 is mounted to move alonga slide track extending along to the lower charger beam 90. An endlesschain or toothed belt 98 is disposed as a loop encircling around asprocket 99 at an outer end of the beam 90 and a sprocket 100 on a shaftof a servo motor 102 mounted at the inner end of the beam 90. The belt98 is connected so as to move the charger lower flitch support member 94longitudinally along the slide track as controlled by the servo motor102. The servo motor is preferably capable of being controlled by thecontrol computer 74 to move the endless belt to position the lowercharger flitch support member 94 precisely, to an accuracy of ±0.001inch.

Each of the elongate charger lower support members 94 desirably has aportion 104 near its outer end that may be called a turntable. Theturntable 104 may be a set of concentric circular ridges extending proudof the surrounding surface of the respective lower charger member with aheight of, for example, 0.020 inch, that will provide a reasonablysecure grip on a bottom face of a flitch, without noticeably marring thesurface of the wood. With a charger lower flitch support member 94 inthe retracted position, a flitch 24, etc. in the transfer ready location78 at hook stop #6 is directly above the turntable of the feed fork.

An upper charger support structure 106 that is part of each charger set82 or 84, etc. extends toward the scanner and carriage assembly 32 froma support frame structure at a rear side of the edger infeed assembly22. An endless belt 108 extends horizontally along the upper chargersupport structure 106, looped around a sprocket 110 at an outer end ofthe upper support charger structure 106 and a drive sprocket 112 mountedon a clamp pad positioning servo motor 114 at an inner end of the uppersupport frame structure. A clamp pad actuator 116 that may be an aircylinder-and-piston assembly is mounted on a slide track 118 extendinghorizontally along the upper support structure 106. The clamp padactuator 116 is connected with the endless belt 108 so that the clamppad servo motor 114 controls its position along the slide track 118under the control of the computer 74 with the same degree of precisionby which the lower charger flitch carrier member 94 is controlled, so asto keep the actuator 116 located above the turntable 104. A clamp pad120 is carried on a moveable member of the clamp pad actuator 116, andis thus kept directly above the center of the turntable 104. The clamppad 120 is arranged to move vertically so as to press a flitch 24, 26,etc. down onto the turntable 104 of the lower flitch support member 94.It will be understood that either an air cylinder or another convenienttype of motor such as an electric actuator or a hydrauliccylinder-and-piston assembly could be used as the clamp pad actuator116.

The lower charger beam 90 of each charger set 82, 84, etc. can be movedthrough a small angle about its pivot 92, by a motor 122 such as an aircylinder and piston mounted on the frame of the scanner and carriageassembly and linked to an outer end of the beam 90. By lowering theouter end of the beam 90, the outer end of the charger lower flitchsupport member 94 can be lowered a small distance, for example about ½inch, to be clear of the bottom face of a flitch 24, 26, etc. in thetransfer ready position 78 at the outfeed end of the scanner andcarriage assembly 32 until the turntable 104 and clamp pad 120 of thecharger set 82, etc. is in a required position and is intended to engagethe flitch at the middle 123 of its width. When the charger set 82, etc.is correctly located the motor 122 can raise the outer end of the lowerflitch support member 94, bringing its turntable 104 into contact withthe flitch that is ready to be transferred. At the same or shortly latertime the clamp pad 120 can be lowered against the upper face of theflitch.

The edger infeed mechanism 22 may include an endless edger infeed chain124 arranged as a loop around suitable sprockets, a drive sprocket 126and an idler sprocket 128, and driven continuously in a vertical planeperpendicular to the infeed chains of the scanner and carriage assembly32 so as to carry a flitch 24, etc. longitudinally into the edger 20. Anupper run 130 of the edger infeed chain 124 may extend along and rideupon a suitable horizontal support rail 132. The edger feed chain 124may be a roller chain with the outer edges of the side plates of eachlink having a sawtooth shape, as shown in the inset in FIG. 10 ,intended to engage a bottom surface of a flitch 24, etc. firmly butwithout noticeable marring, and the edger infeed chain may be referredto herein as a sharpchain 124.

A respective tipple 134 is associated with each of the charger sets 82,84, 86, and 88, and each tipple will be referred to separately by themember of the charger set with which it as associated. Each tipple ismounted on a respective tipple shaft 136 extending horizontally andperpendicular to the plane of the edger infeed chain 124 and thusparallel with the direction of movement of flitches along the scannerand carriage assembly 32. The tipples 134 may be generally planar,extending radially outwardly away from the respective tipple shafts 136.The tipples 134 have outer margins 138 that may have roughened ortextured surfaces intended to engage a bottom face of a flitchfrictionally.

A respective infeed press roller 140 may be mounted for rotation aboutthe axis perpendicular in the place of the sharpchain 124 and may becarried on a support arm 142 attached to each of the upper chargersupport beams 106 on its upstream side, further from the edger 20 andopposite the location of the associated clamp pad actuator 116. Thesupport arm 142 may be arranged to pivot up and down about a horizontalpivot axis 144 that may also be perpendicular to the plane of the edgerinfeed sharpchain 124. A suitable motor 146 such as an aircylinder-and-piston assembly is arranged to raise and lower the edgerinfeed press roller 140 to press a flitch 24, etc. down against a tipple134 in the edger ready position and also while lowering the flitch ontothe upper 130 of the sharpchain 124, and then to keep the flitch incontact with the sharpchain 124 as the flitch is delivered into theedger 20.

The tipple shafts 136 are located beneath the infeed press rollers 140,allowing each of the tipples 134 to be rotated, between a loweredposition as seen in FIG. 4 , alongside the upper run 130 of the edgerinfeed sharpchain 124, and a raised, generally upright, position asshown in FIG. 12 , in which an outer margin 138 of each tipple islocated above the sharpchain 124 and can bear upon a bottom face of aflitch supported on the charger lower flitch support member 94. Theshaft of the #1 tipple can be rotated by an associated bell crank andmotor 148, while the shafts of the #2, #3, and #4 tipples haverespective bell cranks 149 all linked together and controlled by motor150, so that the #2, #3, and #4 tipples can all be raised or loweredsimultaneously.

Suitable sensors such as photocells 152, 154 may be located respectivelya short distance upstream from each of the #1 tipple and the #2 tipple,in positions enabling the sensors to recognize that a tail end 162 of aflitch is passing the respective one of the tipples 134.

Under digital control from the control computer 74, each lower flitchcarrier servo motor 102 and the associated clamp pad actuatorpositioning servo motor 114 are operated synchronously to move arespective end of a flitch 24, etc. from the transfer ready position 78over a distance determined by the control computer 74 on the basis ofthe digital three-dimensional model of the particular flitch. A flitchthus can be moved from the transfer ready location 78 toward acalculated edger ready position 156 directly above the sharpchain 124 ofthe edger infeed mechanism 22. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, thecontrol computer 74 causes each charger set 82, 84, etc. to move arespective end of a flitch a distance calculated to place the flitch ina required location and orientation above the edger infeed sharpchain124, ready to be carried to the saws 31 of the edger 20 and sawn into aboard or boards that will maximize the value of the lumber cut from eachflitch.

An example of the sequence of steps for carrying flitches through theedger feed apparatus and the edger is shown in a flow chart embodied inFIG. 18 . Other examples of the sequence of steps may add, omit,replace, and/or substitute one or more steps shown in FIG. 18 , such aswith one or more steps described in the present disclosure. An exampleof the components and the communication connections between thosecomponents are shown in FIG. 19 . However, there may be additionaland/or alternative components and/or communication connections asdescribed in the present disclosure. An example of the timing sequenceof actions in a cycle of handling a flitch is diagrammed in FIG. 20 .Other examples of the timing sequence of actions may add, omit, replace,substitute, speed up, slow down one or more actions shown in FIG. 20 ,such as with one or more actions described in the present disclosure.

The actions shown in FIG. 20 will be noted herein by step numbers inparentheses. A flitch may be placed flat on the scanner and carriageapparatus 32 with an end 158 of the flitch that is eventually to be theleading end of the flitch aligned with the lumber line 42 at the rightend of the scanner and carriage assembly 32. The feed chains 54 arecontinuously in motion and carry the flitch 30 to hook stop #1, wherethe first set of hooks 60 engage the leading edge of the flitch andalign the flitch 30 in the full taper orientation. At an appropriatetime, ultimately as a result of a flitch being transferred away fromhook stop #6, the set of hooks of hook stop #1 will be dropped allowingthe flitch to move to hook stop #2, where flitch 28 is shown in FIG. 1 .At each hook stop sensors will detect when the hooks 60 at the nextsubsequent hook stop are lowered so that a preceding flitch is startingto move away leaving space for the flitch being held at thelower-numbered hook stop, whose hooks 60 will then be lowered inresponse. As soon as a flitch has moved clear of a hook stop the hooks60 are again raised to stop the next flitch. When the hooks 60 of hookstop #2 are dropped, the feed chains carry the flitch to hook stop #3where it is engaged and stopped by the again-raised hooks 60 at hookstop #3. While moving between hook stop #2 and hook stop #3 the flitch26 may have been scanned by a relatively simple scanner (not shown) todetermine whether the wane is oriented up or down, and the determinationwill have been transmitted to the control computer 74. Between hook stop#3 and hook stop #4 there may be a flitch turner selectively operativeto turn up the wane side of a flitch if necessary. If the wane face isdown the flitch turner will engage the flitch and turn it over to bringthe wane face to the top. If the wane is already facing upward thecontrol computer 74 will cause the feed chains 54 to carry the flitch onto hook stop #4, carrying the flitch so its leading edge contacts thehooks 60 and the flitch is thereby placed into a full taper orientation.

When the hooks of hook stop #4 are lowered the feed chains 54 carry theflitch through the scanner support structure 70, and the upper and lowerscanner arrays 72 measure the flitch and transmits scanner data to thecontrol computer 74, enabling the control computer to generate thedigital three-dimensional model of the flitch. When the flitch justscanned reaches hook stop #5 the flitch is retained until a precedingflitch at hook stop #6 has been engaged by the charger mechanism 80 andis being transferred toward the edger ready position 156. When thecharger mechanism 80 has carried a proceeding flitch clearly away fromthe transfer ready position at hook stop #6 the hooks of hook stop #6are raised to stop the flitch being moved from hook stop #5 in thetransfer ready position in hook stop #6 at the outfeed end of thescanner and carriage assembly as shown in FIG. 5 .

The feed chains 54 thus eventually carry each flitch 24, 26, etc. to thetransfer ready position 78 at an outfeed end of the scanner and carriageassembly 32 at hook stop #6, where a charger assembly receives theflitch and moves it to the edger ready location 156 above an edgerinfeed mechanism 22 arranged to carry the flitch into the edger 20.

In the transfer ready position 78, the desired set of hooks 60 of hookstop #6 stop the flitch 24 and establish a full taper orientation,located where the flitch can be grasped to be moved to the desiredorientation in the edger ready position and location 156 from which itis to be moved onto the edger infeed mechanism 22. With the flitch inthe transfer ready location 78, at least a pair of the elongate chargerlower flitch support members 94, are located beneath the flitch in aretracted position along the slide track on the beam 90.

When the flitch 24 has arrived at hook stop #6 it is ready for thecharging sequence to be performed as directed by the control computer74. This begins as shown in FIG. 3 , with each charger set 82, 84, 86,etc. spanned by the length of the flitch 24 being moved to the positionof the centerline 123 of the flitch, as determined from thethree-dimensional digital model. With the lower flitch support member 94lowered and the clamp pad 120 raised. Based on the digitalthree-dimensional model of the flitch 24 developed by the controlcomputer 74, each lower flitch support member 94 is moved along the beam90 by the servo motor 102 to place the turntable 104 beneath thelongitudinal centerline 123 of the flitch 24, with the lower chargerflitch support members 94 in their respective lowered positions. Thelower flitch support members 94 can then be raised to bring theturntable 104 into contact with the bottom face of the flitch, as shownin FIG. 5 (step 1), and the clamp pads 120 can also be lowered onto theupper face of the flitch (step 2). Depending on the sawing solution theappropriate charger sets (depending on the length of the flitch), engagethe flitch 24. The clamp pads of the #1 charger set 82 and of thecharger set 88 nearest the opposite end of the flitch 24 are lowered topress on the top face of the flitch, but the clamp pads of a charger setbetween those charger sets are not lowered to press on the flitch. Oncethis has been accomplished the hooks 60 of hook set #6 are lowered (step3).

When a previous flitch has been carried on the sharpchain 124 far enoughinto the edger 20 for press rollers 121 within the edger 20 to grip theprevious flitch, the press rollers 140 of the charger sets #2, #3, and#4 are raised (step 4). When the tail end 162 is detected passing asensor such as photocell 152 at the #1 charger set 82 the infeed pressroller 140 at the #1 charger set 82 is raised, providing clearance abovethe sharpchain 124 to receive the flitch 24 being supported by thecharger sets 82 and 88 at the transfer ready location. While the pressrollers 140 are being raised the charger sets are briefly held (step 5)before moving the flitch 24 to the edger ready position 156.

When the space above the tipples 134 is cleared the two engaged chargersets may move by slightly different distances away from the transferready location 78 and toward the opposite side of the edger infeedmechanism 22, moving the flitch 24 to the edger ready position 156 abovethe sharpchain 124 of the edger infeed mechanism in which the desiredsaw cut lines are parallel with the sharpchain 124 and where the flitchis offset laterally as necessary to rest in an optimal transportposition on the sharpchain (step 6).

As the flitch 24 moves clear of the transfer ready position 78 the hooks60 of hook stop #6 are raised (step 7). When a flitch 24 has beencarried by the lower flitch carrier members to the edger ready positionin the calculated location and orientation above the sharpchain 124 ofthe edger infeed mechanism 22 it is held there until a preceding flitchhas been moved far enough into the edger 20 so that none of thepreceding flitch remains above any of a set of tipples 134, as in FIG.14 . The tipples 134 are then rotated to their raised positions (steps9, 15) in which a portion of each tipple 134 extends upward on each sideof the sharpchain 124, and the outer margin surfaces 138 of the tipplesbear against the underside of the flitch 24 and support the flitch inthe edger ready position 156 established by the charger assembly 80. Thetipples may thus lift the flitch 24 slightly. The edger infeed pressroller arms 142 are then pivoted downward bringing the infeed pressrollers 140 into contact on the upper face of the flitch, urging theflitch against the outer margin surfaces 138 of the tipples 134 (step10).

Once the flitch 24 is supported by the tipples 134, the lower chargerbeam actuator 122 is retracted to lower the lower flitch carrier members94 a small distance from the lower face of the flitch, and the hold downpads 120 are raised from the upper face of the flitch (step 11). Theflitch carrier motors 102 and hold down clamp pad carrier motors 114 arethen operated to retract the lower flitch carrier members and move theclamp pad actuator 116 toward the transfer ready position 78 so as to beclear of the flitch 24 and ready to engage the flitch 26 when it ismoved into the transfer ready position by the next cycle of the scannerand carriage assembly 32 (steps 12, 13).

The flitch 24 is then held between the tipples 134 and the edger infeedpress rollers 140 as shown in FIG. 8 for at least a long enough time toprovide an optimum end gap, enough separation between the tail end ofthe preceding flitch and the leading end 41 of the current flitch 24 forthe preceding flitch to be sawn and moved clear of the saws 31 withinthe edger 20, before the current flitch engages the saws 31.Additionally, lowering the current flitch 24 must be delayed long enoughto permit any relocation of the sawblades on the saw arbor that may berequired in accordance with the sawing solution determined by thecontrol computer 74.

Once the charger lower flitch support members 94 and clamp pad 120 andtheir actuators 116 have moved away from the flitch 24 the tipples 134are not obstructed and are clear to be rotated downward. When the sawingsolution for the flitch 24 being moved laterally into the upper edgerready position 156 calls for it to be sawn by the edger 20 into the samenumber and sizes of boards as the immediately preceding flitch, verylittle time is required for adjustment of the positions of the edger sawblades by the servo motors 160 as directed by the control computer 74 asshown in FIG. 15 . There is then only a minimum delay (step 18) requiredbetween the tail end 162 of a preceding flitch and the leading end 41 ofthe flitch 24 about to be lowered onto the edger infeed sharpchain 124.When the flitch 24 is to be sawn into boards of different widths andlocations on the flitch 24 than how the preceding flitch has been sawn,the positions of the edger saw blades 31 must be adjusted along theedger saw arbor 158 using servo motors 164 controlled by the controlcomputer, as shown in FIG. 15 . This requires additional time (andresulting distance along the edger feed chain 124) between the tail end162 of the preceding flitch and the leading end 41 of the flitch 24.That distance may be determined by the photocell 152 sensing passage bythe tail end 162 of the preceding flitch past the #1 tipple 134 (step14), and by data from encoders on the feed roller 121 of the edger 20.The edger saws 31 can be quickly relocated on the arbor 158 ascontrolled by the computer 74, using data from the optimizer 76 andprocessed through programmable logic controller 77. The edger 20 canthus be quickly adjusted to saw the flitches 172 and 174 into differentwidths of boards 176, 178, 180 and 182, shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 .

As may be seen in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 , rotating the tipples 134downward accelerates the flitch in the direction of movement of theupper surfaces of the sharpchain 124 toward the entry into the spacebetween the press rollers 121 of the edger itself, as well as loweringthe flitch into contact with the top of the sharpchain 124.

As the tipples 134 are rotated downward the infeed press rollers 140 arealso moved downward, remaining in contact with the top face of theflitch 124 and pressing the flitch first against the outer margins 138of the tipples and then against the upper edges of the sharpchain. Thesharpchain 124 then carries the flitch toward the edger 20, feeding theleading end of the flitch between the edger press rolls 121 which thenengage the flitch and move it through the saws to cut the flitch intoboards according to the optimal sawing solution that was generated bythe control computer 74 prior to operation of the charger mechanism.

After the calculated amount of movement of the tail end 162 of theprevious flitch beyond the tipples, allowing for repositioning of theedger saws as mentioned above, the tipples 134 are lowered and theflitch 24 descends down upon the edger infeed sharpchain 124 and ispressed downward against the edger infeed sharpchain 124 by the infeedpress rollers 140. The edger infeed sharpchain 124 then carries theflitch 24 toward the edger 20. Referring now to FIGS. 14-17 the feedrollers 121 of the edger 20 then carry the flitch 24 into engagement bythe saws 31, which cut the flitch 24 into boards and scrap edge materialaccording to the sawing solution determined by the control computer 74.

By the time the flitch 24 has been moved far enough into the edger 20and is being moved through the saws 31 by the feed rolls 121 of theedger 20 far enough so that the tail end of the flitch 24 has movedbeyond the #1 tipple, the tipple 134 closest to the edger 20, thefollowing flitch 26 should have been carried by the lower flitch carriermembers 94 and clamp pads 120 into the edger ready position 156, so thatthe cycle can be repeated as subsequent flitches 28, 30 etc. are movedlaterally through the series of hook stops, and are scanned andconverted into three-dimensional models and saved in the memory of thecontrol computer 74, together with the data necessary to each flitch tothe edger ready position and ultimately through the edger 20.

Once the preceding flitch has cleared the tipples and the leading end 41of the flitch 24 is supported by the tipples 134, when the tipples arelowered the flitch 24 supported by the tipples is already positioned tobe fed to the edger saw blades 31 in the most advantageous position andorientation. The flitch has only to drop a small distance, such as about4 inches, from the edger ready position 156 once the tail end 162 of thepreceding flitch is clear from beneath the leading end 41 of the flitch24 supported by the tipples. Lowering the tipples 134, with the edgerinfeed presser rollers 140 pushing down on the top of the flitch,accelerates the flitch toward the edger saw blades 31, bringing it to aspeed approaching that of the edger infeed sharpchain 124. The tipples134 and the edger infeed presser rollers 140 continue to positivelygrasp and hold the flitch 24 until the flitch-contacting surfaces 138 ofthe tipples 134 have been lowered beneath the level of the upper facesof the edger infeed sharpchain 124. The edger infeed sharpchain 124 thenengages and moves the flitch toward the edger press rollers 121. Thistransfer of the flitch 24 from the infeed scanner and carriage assembly32 to the edger infeed sharpchain 124 and the change of direction fromlateral movement to longitudinal movement of the flitch can all occurwithin a very brief time, as shown in FIG. 20 , since the flitchesmoving laterally are at a higher location than the flitches movinglongitudinally and have a shorter travel distance, and thus, theflitches moving laterally can be moved precisely, controlled by thecharger sets to a properly oriented edger ready position 156 directlyabove the edger feed mechanism 22 that is moving longitudinally towardthe edger saw blades, and the flitch 24 then can be lowered onto theedger infeed sharpchain.

Each time division on the time axis in FIG. 20 represents 100milliseconds. As may be seen in FIG. 20 , an entire cycle 184 of movinga scanned flitch 24 from the transfer ready position 78, through theedger ready position 156, and into the press rollers 121 of the edger20, occurs in a very short time. The numbered steps shown in FIG. 20 arelisted in the following table:

TABLE 1 1. Lower flitch carrier 94 raises in position on center offlitch face 2. Clamp pad 120 lowers in position on center of flitch face3. #6 hook stop lowers 4. Edger infeed press rollers 140 rise 5. Delaycharger set advance as press rollers 140 rise 6. Charger set advancesflitch to sawing solution relative to center line 7. #6 Hook stop rises8. Trailing end of preceding flitch clears tipple #2 9. Tipples 2, 3, 4rise 10. Press rollers 2, 3, 4 lower, clamping flitch 24 to tipples 11.Clamp pad 120 raises & flitch carrier 94 lowers 12. Charger sets returnto charger ready position (center of flitch face) 13. Charger set clearof flitch 24 14. Trailing end 162 of preceding flitch clear tipple #115. Tipple 1 raises 16. Press roll 1 lowers, clamping infeed flitch 24to tipples 17. Trailing end 162 of preceding flitch clears lumberline18. Minimum required end gap relative to lumberline 19. Press rollers140 & tipples lower flitch 24 onto sharpchain 124 to feed edger 20 20.Flitch 24 past number 2 edger press roll 121 21. Edger #2 press rolldown on flitch 24

During the entire cycle 184 a flitch transfer charging cycle 186, thecomplete set of actions for transfer of a flitch in a lateral directionfrom the scanner and carriage assembly 32 to the charger ready position156, may be completed in less than one second. After necessary delaywhile a preceding flitch clears the edger infeed mechanism 22 and enoughspace is left behind the tail end 162 of the preceding flitch for thepreceding flitch to be clear of the saws 31 of the edger 20 and the sawblade positions are adjusted, before the next flitch engages the sawblades 31. In a complete sharpchain loading cycle 188 each flitch can belowered from the edger ready position 156 onto the edger feed sharpchain124 and delivered into the edger 20 far enough to be engaged by thesecond feed press rollers 121 in slightly more than 0.6 second.

Referring to FIG. 21 , another example of edger feed apparatus 21according to the present disclosure is generally indicated at 221.Unless explicitly stated, edger feed apparatus 221 may additionally, oralternatively, include one or more other components of one or more otheredger feed apparatus of the present disclosure. Edger feed apparatus 221includes an edger infeed mechanism 222 arranged to deliver a flitch ofwood 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, or 230, etc. into an edger, such asedger 20 described above. The edger infeed mechanism is controlled andoperated by various components shown schematically in FIG. 40 .

Edger feed apparatus 221 additionally includes a carriage assembly 232,which has a structural frame 234 oriented or positioned to deliverflitches 224, 226, etc. to the edger by moving each flitch laterally inthe direction of arrow 236, which is perpendicular to a length 238 ofeach flitch 224, 226, etc. The flitches are arranged side-by-side, lyingflat and with their lengths oriented or positioned generally parallelwith arrow 240, indicating the direction of which each flitch will passlongitudinally through the edger. An end of each flitch that will beleading end 241 as the flitch enters the edger is aligned with a lumberline 242, at the right-hand end of carriage assembly 232. The flitchesmay be loaded onto carrier assembly 232 manually or by a loadingapparatus not disclosed herein.

Frame 234 of carriage assembly 232 includes a group of feed railassemblies 250 that are oriented or positioned horizontal and parallelwith each other, separated from one another by a distance 252 that issomewhat less than the length of the shortest flitch intended to be fedto the edger, such as a distance corresponding to a standard boardlength intended to be produced. As shown in FIG. 21 , there are fivefeed rail assemblies 250 in carriage assembly 232. However, othercarriage assemblies may include less or more feed rail assemblies.

Endless loop feed chains 254 of which there are five shown in FIG. 21 ,are engaged with appropriate sprockets so as to move in respectiveparallel vertical planes. The endless feed chains 254 are arranged to bedriven synchronously by drive sprockets carded on a chain drive shaft258, as best seen in FIG. 28 . An upper portion of each of the endlesschains 254 may be disposed horizontally and ride along the top of arespective one of feed rail assemblies 250 to support flitches 224, 226,etc. and move them along feed rail assemblies 250 toward edger infeedmechanism 222, spaced apart from each other by a desired distance. Feedchains 254 are driven to move continuously to carry flitches 224, 226,etc. toward edger infeed mechanism 222.

Seven sets of hooks 260 (five are seen in FIG. 21 and the remaining twoare seen in FIG. 22 ), extend across the direction of movement of thefeed chains. They are carried on pivoted arms 262 and are arranged to beraised and lowered periodically to let each flitch 224, 226, etc. movein steps a predetermined distance along carriage assembly 232 towardedger infeed mechanism 222, and to keep the flitches separated from eachother. When a set of hooks 260 is raised and obstructs one of theflitches, feed chains 254 continue to move but the links of the feedchains preferably have smooth straight outer surfaces that can slidealong the bottom face of a flitch 224, etc. without causing damage whenthe flitch is held stationary by one of the set of hooks 260. At thesame time, however, flitches 224, 226, 228, etc. are engaged by feedchains 254 with sufficient friction that each flitch is carried withnegligible slippage when the flitch is not obstructed by a set of hooks260.

There may be seven sets of hooks, spaced apart by a convenient distancesuch as 30 inches that may be designed according to the size of flitchesto be handled. As a flitch is carried along carriage assembly 232, it isstopped momentarily at each set of hooks 260, which may be called hookstop #1, or hook stop #2, etc. Various functions may be carried out ateach hook stop or between one hook stop and the next.

Arms 262 carrying the ones of a set of hooks 260 may all be mounted on ashaft 264 extending transversely of carriage assembly 232, thus parallelwith the length of a flitch on the carriage assembly. Each such shaft264 may be rotated through a few degrees in either direction by suitablemeans, such as inflation and deflation of the ones of a respective pairof airbags 268, for example, as may be seen in FIG. 28 .

A fetcher assembly 270 is located at the outfeed end of carriageassembly 232 and above edger infeed mechanism 222 to transfer eachflitch to the edger infeed mechanism. The fetcher assembly includesfetcher subassemblies 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280, each convenientlyassociated with one of feed chains 254. In the example shown in FIG. 21, fetcher subassemblies 272 and 274 include dual sets of fetchers (alsocalled dual fetcher #1 and #2, respectively), while fetchersubassemblies 276, 278, and 280 include single sets of fetchers (alsocalled single fetcher #3, #4, and #5, respectively). Each of the fetchersubassemblies are pivotably connected to edger infeed mechanism 222 anda linear actuator 281 (e.g., air or hydraulic cylinder) allows a user toselectively raise any of the fetcher subassemblies for operational ormaintenance purposes as shown in FIG. 22 . Although fetcher assembly 270is shown to include five fetcher subassemblies, other examples offetcher assembly 270 may include more or less fetcher subassemblies.Additionally, although fetcher assembly 270 is shown to include twofetcher subassemblies having dual sets of fetchers and three fetchersubassemblies having single sets of fetchers, other examples of fetcherassembly 270 may include dual fetchers for none, less, more, or all ofthe fetcher subassemblies, which may depend on the flitch sizes beingprocessed.

A representative one of fetcher subassemblies 272 and 274 is depicted inFIGS. 23-26 . Fetcher subassemblies 272 and 274 include a fetchersupport structure 282 that extends over the outfeed end of carriageassembly 232 and above edger infeed mechanism 222. Fetcher supportstructure 282 includes a vertical wall 284 that separates a first set offetchers 286 from a second set of fetchers 288. The first set offetchers includes a first pair of dogs, namely a left-hand (LH) dog 290and a right-hand (RH) dog 292, that are connected to a first elongaterod or first shaft 294 such that those dogs pivot or rotate when firstshaft 294 pivots or rotates. In the example shown in FIGS. 22-25 , LHdog 290 and RH dog 292 each includes a generally planar member 295having an edge with a plurality of teeth 296 for gripping flitches. Afirst shaft motor 298 is connected to first shaft 294 via a first shafttorque arm 300, a first tie rod 302, and a first shaft arm 304 toselectively pivot first shaft 294 and the LH and RH dogs such that theLH and RH dogs pivot between a ready or operating position in which theLH and RH dogs are perpendicular to a flitch in the transfer readyposition, and a stow position in which the LH and RH dogs are parallelto a flitch in the transfer ready position.

Although LH dog 290 and RH dog 292 are connected to first shaft 294 suchthat those dogs pivot when the first shaft pivots, the LH and RH dogsalso are slidably connected to first shaft 294 to allow those dogs toslide relative to that shaft. In the example shown in FIGS. 23-26 ,first shaft 294 is a shaft with external longitudinal splines (or asplined shaft) that fit into corresponding internal grooves in the LHand RH dogs allowing the LH and RH dogs to slide relative to the firstshaft and also to rotate with the first shaft. LH dog 290 is connectedto a LH belt 306 supported on idlers or spools 308, while RH dog 292 isconnected to a RH belt 310 supported on idlers or spools 312. A LH dogmotor 314 selectively rotates the LH belt to move the LH dog toward oraway from a flitch in the transfer ready position. Similarly, a RH dogmotor 316 selectively moves the RH belt to move the RH dog toward oraway from a flitch in the transfer ready position. In other words, theLH and RH dog motors move the LH and RH dogs between a grip position inwhich the LH and RH dogs contact a flitch in the transfer readyposition, and a release position in which the LH and RH dogs are spacedfrom a flitch in the transfer ready position.

Second set of fetchers 288 similarly includes a second pair of dogs,namely a left-hand (LH) dog 318 and a right-hand (RH) dog 320, that areconnected to a second elongate rod or second shaft 322 such that thosedogs pivot or rotate when second shaft 322 pivots or rotates. Similar tothe first set of fetchers, LH dog 318 and RH dog 320 each includes agenerally planar member 324 having an edge with a plurality of teeth 326for gripping flitches. A second shaft motor 328 is connected to secondshaft 322 via a second shaft torque arm 329, a second tie rod 330, and asecond shaft arm 332 to selectively pivot second shaft 322 and the LHand RH dogs such that the LH and RH dogs pivot between a ready oroperating position in which the LH and RH dogs are perpendicular to aflitch in the transfer ready position, and a stow position in which theLH and RH dogs are parallel to a flitch in the transfer ready position.

Although LH dog 318 and RH dog 320 are connected to second shaft 322such that those dogs pivot when the second shaft pivots, the LH and RHdogs also are slidably connected to second shaft 322 to allow those dogsto slide relative to that shaft. In the example shown in FIGS. 23-26 ,second shaft 322 is a shaft with external longitudinal splines (or asplined shaft) that fit into corresponding internal grooves in the LHand RH dogs allowing the LH and RH dogs to slide relative to the firstshaft and also to rotate with the first shaft. LH dog 318 is connectedto a LH belt 334 supported on idlers or spools 336, while RH dog 320 isconnected to a RH belt 338 supported on idlers or spools 340. A LH dogmotor 342 selectively rotates the LH belt to move the LH dog toward oraway from a flitch in the transfer ready position. Similarly, a RH dogmotor 344 selectively moves the RH belt to move the RH dog toward oraway from a flitch in the transfer ready position. In other words, theLH and RH dog motors move the LH and RH dogs between a grip position inwhich the LH and RH dogs contact a flitch in the transfer readyposition, and a release position in which the LH and RH dogs are spacedfrom a flitch in the transfer ready position.

A representative one of fetcher subassemblies 276, 278, and 280 isdepicted in FIG. 27 having only a first set of fetchers 346 (and withouta second set of fetchers). Fetcher subassemblies 276, 278, and 280 havesubstantially the same structure and components as fetcher subassemblies272 and 274 but without the second set of fetchers. For example, fetchersubassemblies 276, 278, and 280 include a fetcher support structure 348.The first set of fetchers includes a pair of dogs, namely a left-hand(LH) dog 350 and a right-hand (RH) dog 352, that are connected to anelongate rod or shaft 354 such that those dogs pivot or rotate whenshaft 354 pivots or rotates. LH dog 350 and RH dog 352 each includes agenerally planar member 356 having an edge with a plurality of teeth 358for gripping flitches. A shaft motor 360 is connected to shaft 354 via ashaft torque arm 362, a tie rod 364, and a shaft arm 366 to selectivelypivot shaft 354 and the LH and RH dogs such that the LH and RH dogspivot between a ready or operating position in which the LH and RH dogsare perpendicular to a flitch in the transfer ready position, and a stowposition in which the LH and RH dogs are parallel to a flitch in thetransfer ready position.

LH dog 350 and RH dog 352 also are slidably connected to shaft 354 toallow those dogs to slide relative to that shaft. LH dog 350 isconnected to a LH belt 368 supported on idlers or spools 370, while RHdog 352 is connected to a RH belt 372 supported on idlers or spools 374.A LH dog motor 376 selectively rotates the LH belt to move the LH dogtoward or away from a flitch in the transfer ready position. Similarly,a RH dog motor 378 selectively moves the RH belt to move the RH dogtoward or away from a flitch in the transfer ready position. In otherwords, the LH and RH dog motors move the LH and RH dogs between a gripposition in which the LH and RH dogs contact a flitch in the transferready position, and a release position in which the LH and RH dogs arespaced from a flitch in the transfer ready position.

Referring back to FIGS. 21-22 , edger infeed mechanism 222 includes aframe 380 and a conveyor belt 382 having a transport surface 384 thatmoves in a direction that is parallel to the length of the flitches (andperpendicular to the direction of travel of the flitches on the carriageassembly) toward the edger. The transport surface of the conveyor beltincludes a plurality of projections 386 to cushion the flitches (as bestseen in FIG. 35 ), which is also referred to as a “roughtop surface” ora “roughtop conveyor belt.”

Edger infeed mechanism 222 also includes a linear scanner system 388disposed downstream from the fetcher assembly, as shown in FIG. 21 . Thescanner system scans each flitch precisely as it is carried on theconveyor belt toward the edger. The scanner system is connectedfunctionally to a control computer 390, as shown in FIG. 40 . Digitaldata derived from scanning each flitch 224, 226, etc. is delivered tothe control computer 390, as by a suitable data cable (not shown).

The control computer 390 is adapted to receive the digital data fromscanner system 388 and to compile it as a digital three-dimensionalmodel, such as a wireframe model, of each flitch. The three-dimensionalmodel of a flitch may preferably be prepared to a resolution of 0.001inch, to identify the boundaries of the flat upper face of each flitch,where the flitch begins to wane, and the control computer 390 utilizesthe digital three-dimensional model as a basis for deciding what partsof the flitch should be removed by the edger. An optimizer section 392of control computer 390 incorporates a database which may include atabulation of many different sizes, types, and grades of lumber and thecurrent value of each. The control computer may be programmed todetermine from the three-dimensional model what boards of which gradescan be produced from a particular flitch, for example, which parts ofthe flitch should be removed by the edger and how to cut the remainingportion of the flitch into pieces which can result in an optimum valueof marketable lumber. A sawing solution is then developed by controlcomputer 390 and conforming instructions and data may be communicatedamong the various elements of the edger, carriage assembly 232, andedger infeed mechanism 222 using a programmable logic controller 394 sothat the flitch will be sawed accordingly by the edger. The sawingsolution may include instructions to require the edger to adjust thepositions of individual ones of the various saw blades.

An example of the sequence of steps for carrying flitches through edgerfeed apparatus 221 and the edger is shown in a flow chart in FIGS.39A-39E. Other examples of the sequence of steps may add, omit, replace,and/or substitute one or more steps shown in FIGS. 39A-39E, such as withone or more steps described in the present disclosure (e.g., FIG. 18flowchart). An example of the components and the communicationconnections between those components are shown in FIG. 40 .

However, there may be additional and/or alternative components and/orcommunication connections as described in the present disclosure (e.g.,FIG. 19 ). An example of the timing sequence of actions for fetchersubassemblies having dual fetchers is shown in FIG. 41 . Other examplesof the timing sequence of actions may add, omit, replace, substitute,speed up, slow down one or more actions shown in FIG. 41 , such as withone or more actions described in the present disclosure (e.g., FIG. 20).

A flitch may be placed flat on the carriage assembly 232 with an end 241of the flitch that is eventually to be the leading end of the flitchaligned with the lumber line 242 at the right end of the carriageassembly 232. Feed chains 254 are continuously in motion and carry theflitch to hook stop #1, where the first set of hooks 260 engage theleading edge of the flitch. Proximity sensors (one example is shown inFIG. 28 at 265) determine that hooks stops are occupied. Examples ofproximity sensors include photocells, lasers, wands, and camera systems.At an appropriate time, the set of hooks of hook stop #1 will be droppedallowing the flitch to move to hook stop #2, where the leading edge offlitch 229 shown in FIG. 21 is aligned perpendicular to flow. At eachhook stop, sensors will detect when the hooks 260 at the next subsequenthook stop are lowered so that a preceding flitch is starting to moveaway leaving space for the flitch being held at the lower-numbered hookstop, whose hooks 260 will then be lowered in response. As soon as aflitch has moved clear of a hook stop, the hooks 260 are again raised tostop the next flitch. When the hooks 260 of hook stop #2 are dropped,the feed chains carry the flitch to hook stop #3 where it is engaged andstopped by the again-raised hooks 260 at hook stop #3. A similar processoccurs as the flitch is moved from hook stop #3, to hook stop #4, tohook stop #5, and to hook stop #6. At each of the above hooks stops, theleading edge of the flitch shown in FIG. 21 is aligned perpendicular toflow.

When the flitch reaches hook stop #6 the flitch is retained until apreceding flitch at hook stop #7 has been engaged by fetcher assembly270 and is being transferred toward edger ready position 406. Whenfetcher assembly 270 has carried a proceeding flitch clearly away fromthe transfer ready position at hook stop #7, the hooks of hook stop #7are raised to stop the flitch being moved from hook stop #6 to hook stop#7 at the outfeed end of the carriage assembly. Feed chains 254 thuseventually carry each flitch on the carriage assembly to transfer readyposition 398 at an outfeed end of carriage assembly 232 at hook stop #7,where fetcher assembly 270 receives the flitch and moves it to the edgerready location 406 above an edger infeed mechanism 222 arranged to carrythe flitch into the edger.

In transfer ready position 398, the desired set of hooks 260 of hookstop #7 stop the flitch and establish a full taper orientation, locatedwhere the flitch can be grasped to be moved to the desired orientationin the edger ready position and from which it is to be moved onto edgerinfeed mechanism 222. When the flitch has arrived at hook stop #7 it isready for the fetching sequence to be performed as directed by controlcomputer 390. Proximity sensors mounted near each hook stop sense thelength of the flitch relative to the lumberline and the control computerdetermines based on those sensors which fetcher subassemblies and/orsets of fetchers of those subassemblies are required for the transfer.For example, all five fetcher subassemblies are used for flitch 396 inFIG. 36 but only the first two fetcher subassemblies are used for flitch400.

Referring to FIG. 28 , a first flitch 396 is against hook stop #7 in atransfer ready position 398 and a second flitch 400 is spaced upstreamof the first flitch. The LH and RH dogs of the first and second set offetchers of fetcher subassemblies 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280 are in thestow position.

Referring to FIG. 29 , the LH and RH dogs of the first set of fetchersof the fetcher subassemblies move from the stow position to the readyposition. The LH and RH dogs are spaced from the lateral edges of thefirst flitch. Referring to FIG. 30 , the LH dogs of the first set offetchers of the fetcher subassemblies move to the grip positioncontacting a lateral edge 402 of the first flitch and pushing the firstflitch against hook stop #7 to a predetermined motor torque and thenlock in position becoming the master datum position. Referring to FIGS.31-32 , the RH dogs of the first set of fetchers of the fetchersubassemblies move to the grip position contacting and pushing againstopposed lateral edge 404 of the first flitch to a predetermined motortorque (which may be slightly less than the LH dog motor torque)becoming the slave position. The control computer determines the widthsof the flitch (e.g., large end width and small end width) via the gripposition of the LH and RH dogs near each opposed longitudinal end of theflitch to determine the geometric centerline of the flitch (splittaper). After flitch is clamped, hook stops #7 lower below top of chain.

Referring to FIGS. 33-34 , the LH and RH dogs of the first set offetchers of the fetcher subassemblies move first flitch 396 to an edgerready position 406 above the transport surface of the conveyor belt ofedger infeed mechanism 222. The LH and RH dogs in the middle fetchersubassemblies follow flitch as it is transferred to maintain clampingforce on the flitch being moved or transferred. Second flitch 400 is intransfer ready position 398 against hook stop #7. Subsequently, the LHand RH dogs of the second set of fetchers of the fetcher subassembliesmove from the stow position to the ready position spaced from the secondflitch. The LH dogs of the second set of fetchers of the fetchersubassemblies move to the grip position contacting a lateral edge 408 ofsecond flitch 400 and pushing the second flitch against hook stop #7.

Referring to FIGS. 35-36 , the LH and/or RH dogs of the first set offetchers of the fetcher subassemblies move away from the first flitch torelease the first flitch onto the transport surface of the conveyor beltof edger infeed mechanism 222 for the transport surface to deliver thefirst flitch through the scanner system and to the edger. Additionally,the RH dogs of the second set of fetchers of the fetcher subassembliesmove to the grip position contacting and pushing against opposed lateraledge 410 of the second flitch. Subsequently, the LH and RH dogs of thefirst set of fetchers of the fetcher subassemblies move to the stowposition to clear a path for the second flitch.

Referring to FIGS. 37-38 , the LH and RH dogs of the second set offetchers of the fetcher subassemblies move second flitch 400 to edgerready position 406, which occurs prior to the first flitch moving clearfrom beneath the edger ready position. In other words, second flitch 400is in the edger ready position prior to first flitch 396 moving past, ordownstream from, the fetcher assembly. Subsequently, the conveyor beltof edger infeed mechanism 222 moves first flitch 396 clear from beneaththe edger ready position and the LH and/or RH dogs of the second set offetchers of the fetcher subassemblies move apart to release secondflitch 400 onto the transport surface of the conveyor belt of edgerinfeed mechanism 222 for the transport surface to deliver the firstflitch through the scanner system and to the edger.

Depending on scanning and sawing operations of prior flitches, secondflitch 400 may be held in the edger ready position for a predeterminedamount of time after first flitch 396 clears from beneath the edgerready position before the second flitch is released onto the conveyorbelt. For example, when the sawing solution for the flitch being movedlaterally into the edger ready position calls for it to be sawn by theedger into the same number and sizes of boards as the immediatelypreceding flitch, very little time is required for adjustment of thepositions of the edger saw blades by the servo motors as directed by thecontrol computer. There is then only a minimum delay required betweenthe tail end of a preceding flitch and the leading end of the flitchabout to be lowered onto the conveyor belt of the edger infeedmechanism. However, when the flitch is to be sawn into boards ofdifferent widths and locations on the flitch than how the precedingflitch has been sawn, the positions of the edger saw blades must beadjusted along the edger saw arbor using servo motors controlled by thecontrol computer. This requires additional time (and resulting distancealong conveyor belt) between the tail end of the preceding flitch andthe leading end of the flitch. That distance may be determined by aphotocell sensing passage by the tail end of the preceding flitch, andby data from encoders on the feed roller of the edger. The edger sawscan be quickly relocated on the arbor as controlled by the computer,using data from the optimizer and processed through the programmablelogic controller. The edger can thus be quickly adjusted to saw flitchesinto different widths of boards.

The above process of holding a second flitch in the edger ready positionwhile a portion of the first flitch is on a part of the edger infeedmechanism that is directly below the second flitch may be performed withonly the first set of fetchers (such as when the first and secondflitches are above a predetermined length), and/or both first and secondset of fetchers (such as when the first and/or second flitches are at orbelow a predetermined length, e.g., 10 feet). In other words, when thefirst and second flitches are above the predetermined length, the sameset of fetchers for moving the first flitch from the transfer readyposition onto the conveyor belt of the edger infeed mechanism may beused for moving the second flitch from the transfer ready position ontothe conveyor belt of the edger infeed mechanism. Edger feed apparatus221 includes five fetcher subassemblies but only two of thosesubassemblies includes dual sets of fetchers because the second set offetchers are involved only when the flitch is at or below thepredetermined length. However, other examples of the edger feedapparatus may include more fetcher subassemblies having dual sets offetchers, such as when the above process of holding a second flitch inthe edger ready position while a portion of the first flitch is directlybelow the second flitch is performed regardless of the length of theflitches.

The transfer of the flitch from the carriage assembly to the edgerinfeed mechanism and the change of direction from lateral movement tolongitudinal movement of the flitch can all occur within a very brieftime, because the flitches moving laterally are at a higher locationthan the flitches moving longitudinally and have a shorter traveldistance, and thus, the flitches moving laterally can be movedprecisely, controlled by the fetcher assembly to a properly orientededger ready position directly above the edger infeed mechanism that ismoving longitudinally toward the edger saw blades, and the flitch thencan be lowered onto the conveyor belt of the edger infeed mechanism.

Each time division on the time axis in FIG. 41 represents 100milliseconds (ms). As may be seen in FIG. 41 , an entire cycle 412(first fetchers) or 414 (second fetchers) of moving a flitch from thetransfer ready position, through the edger ready position, and releasingthe flitch from the edger ready position onto the edger infeedmechanism, occurs in a very short time (e.g., about 2 seconds).Additionally, cycles 412 and 414 overlap by about 1 second. The numberedsteps shown in FIG. 41 are listed in the following table:

TABLE 1 1. First set of dogs rotate down around the first flitch 2. LHdogs push the first flitch against the hooks stops, clamping the firstflitch (e.g., with 15 lbs. force) 3. Slave RH dogs push the first flitchback against the master LH dogs (e.g., with 10 lbs. force) and the hooksstops drop below chain. LH and RH dogs measure width of the first flitchon lumber line and measure width of first flitch on clear line end. Alldogs advance, geometrically centering the flitch, split taper over thebelt. 4. LH and RH dogs pause in position over the belt, hook stopsraise 5. LH dogs retract 2″ and RH dogs advance 2″, releasing the firstflitch onto the belt. 6. LH and RH dogs raise. 7. LH dogs retract to 0″position, RH dogs retract to 30″ position. 8. Waiting for next flitch totravel up against the hooks stop. 9. Second set of dogs rotate downaround the second flitch 10. LH dogs push the second flitch against thehooks stops, clamping the second flitch (e.g., with 15 lbs. force) 11.Slave RH dogs push the second flitch back against the master LH dogs(e.g., with 10 lbs. force) and the hooks stops drop below chain. LH andRH dogs measure width of the second flitch on lumber line and measurewidth of second flitch on clear line end. All dogs advance,geometrically centering the second flitch, split taper over the belt.12. LH and RH dogs pause in position over the belt, hook stops raise 13.LH dogs retract 2″ and RH dogs advance 2″, releasing the second flitchonto the belt. 14. LH and RH dogs raise. 15. LH dogs retract to 0″position, RH dogs retract to 30″ position. 16. Waiting for next flitchto travel up against the hooks stop.

Prior to step 1 above, the LH dogs are up at 0″ position, RH dogs are upat load position (2″ past hook stop) and, subsequently, the first flitchtravels up against the hook stop in the loading position. Additionally,prior to step 9 above, LH dogs are up at 0″ position and RH dogs are upat 30″ position and, subsequently, the second flitch travels against thehook stop in the loading position. Any suitable number of the LH dogsmay be the master dogs, while any suitable number of the RH dogs may bethe slave dogs. For example, the LH dogs proximate the ends of aparticular flitch may be the master dogs for that flitch.

Other examples of edger feed apparatus may include differentcombinations of the structures and/or components of edger feed apparatus21 and 221. For example, referring to FIG. 42 , another example of edgerfeed apparatus 21 according to the present disclosure is generallyindicated at 421. Unless explicitly stated, edger feed apparatus 421 mayadditionally, or alternatively, include one or more other components ofone or more other edger feed apparatus of the present disclosure. Edgerfeed apparatus 421 includes the same components of edger feed apparatus221 with the addition of transverse scanner system 442 positioned abovecarriage assembly 432 and adjacent fetcher assembly 470, which are inaddition to a linear scanner system 488. The transverse scanner systemsmay include one, two or more scanners, which are controlled and operatedby various components shown schematically in FIG. 44 . Transversescanner system 442 may perform one or more (or all) of the stepsperformed by linear scanner system 388 in edger feed apparatus 221. Forexample, a first transverse scanner of transverse scanner system 442 mayscan the flitch on the carriage assembly for grade defects (such as athook stop #3), create a three-dimensional model of the flitch locatingdefects (such as at hook stop #4), a second transverse scanner oftransverse scanner system 442 may scan the flitch to determine geometricshape (such as at hook stop #5), and create a three-dimensional model ofthe flitch to so suit product layout considering the defects and shape(such as at hook stop #6). The control computer may then determine asawing solution based on the information from transverse scanner system442.

Linear scanner system 488 may then serve as a verification scanner todetermine the flitch's actual position on the conveyor belt of the edgerinfeed mechanism relative to the calculated position determined by thefetcher assembly. The cutting tools of the edger are then positionedbased on the actual position of the flitch. Other examples of the edgerfeed apparatus of the present disclosure may include only one or moretransverse scanners and exclude the linear scanner system. Additionally,edger feed apparatus 221 and/or 441 may additionally, or alternatively,include one or more other components described in the presentdisclosure. For example, edger feed apparatus 221 and/or 441 may includea flitch turner described for the scanner and carriage assembly in edgerfeed apparatus 21. Additionally, edger feed apparatus 221 and/or 441 mayinclude a sharpchain and press rollers of edger feed apparatus 21instead of the conveyor belt of the edger infeed mechanism.

An example of the sequence of steps for carrying flitches through edgerfeed apparatus 421 and the edger is shown in a flow chart in FIGS.43A-43E. Other examples of the sequence of steps may add, omit, replace,and/or substitute one or more steps shown in FIGS. 43A-43E, such as withone or more steps described in the present disclosure (e.g., FIGS. 18and/or 39A-39E flowcharts). An example of the components andcommunication connections between those components are shown in FIG. 44. However, there may be additional and/or alternative components and/orcommunication connections as described in the present disclosure (e.g.,FIGS. 19 and/or 40 ).

The terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoingspecification are used therein as terms of description and not oflimitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms andexpressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and describedor portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the inventionis defined and limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. An edger feeder apparatus for feeding flitchesinto an edger, comprising: a flitch carriage assembly arranged to move aplurality of elongate flitches serially and in a transverse, lateral,direction relative to a length of each of the flitches, toward atransfer ready position at a delivery end of the flitch carriageassembly; an edger infeed mechanism arranged to engage and carry theflitches into the edger, in a longitudinal direction with respect to theflitches; and a fetcher assembly arranged to transfer each of theplurality of flitches in turn from the transfer ready position on theflitch carriage assembly to the edger infeed mechanism, the fetcherassembly including a first set of fetchers located over the delivery endof the flitch carriage assembly, arranged to carry a first flitch in alateral direction from the transfer ready position to an edger readyposition spaced upwardly apart from the edger infeed mechanism and torelease the first flitch in the edger ready position such that the firstflitch lands on the edger infeed mechanism for delivery of the firstflitch to the edger via the edger infeed mechanism, and a second set offetchers located adjacent the first set of fetchers arranged to carry asecond flitch in the lateral direction from the transfer ready positionto the edger ready position while a portion of the first flitch is on apart of the edger infeed mechanism that is directly below the secondflitch, and to release the second flitch on to the edger infeedmechanism when the first flitch has moved clear from beneath the edgerready position, wherein the first and second sets of fetchers eachincludes two or more pairs of dogs that transversely grip a flitch ofthe plurality of flitches in the transfer ready position, move theflitch to the edger ready position, and release the flitch on to theedger infeed mechanism, wherein the fetcher assembly includes aplurality of parallel and elongate rods that are transverse to thedirection of travel of the flitches on the edger infeed mechanism,wherein each pair of dogs of the two or more pairs of dogs is slidablyconnected to a different rod of the plurality of rods, wherein each dogof each pair of dogs of the two or more pairs of dogs includes agenerally planar member having an edge with teeth for gripping a flitchof the plurality of flitches, and wherein each rod of the plurality ofrods rotates a pair of dogs between a ready position in which the dogsare perpendicular to a flitch in the transfer ready position, and a stowposition in which the dogs are parallel to a flitch in the transferready position.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: ascanner system located adjacent the flitch carriage assembly andarranged to measure each of the plurality of flitches at a plurality oflocations on each of the flitches, wherein the scanner system is locatedin position to measure each one of the plurality of flitches prior tothe respective arrival of each one of the plurality of flitches at thedelivery end of the flitch carriage assembly; and a control computerarranged to receive data for each flitch of the plurality of flitchesfrom the scanner system and to determine a sawing solution to beimplemented at the edger for each flitch.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising: a scanner system located adjacent the edger infeedmechanism and arranged to measure each flitch of the plurality offlitches as the flitch is being moved toward the edger on the edgerinfeed mechanism; and a control computer arranged to receive data foreach flitch of the plurality of flitches from the scanner system and todetermine a sawing solution to be implemented at the edger for eachflitch.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first scannersystem located adjacent the flitch carriage assembly and arranged tomeasure each of the plurality of flitches at a plurality of locations oneach of the flitches, wherein the first scanner system is located inposition to measure each one of the plurality of flitches prior to therespective arrival of each one of the plurality of flitches at thedelivery end of the flitch carriage assembly; a second scanner systemlocated adjacent the edger infeed mechanism and arranged to determine aposition of each flitch of the plurality of flitches of the edger infeedmechanism; and a control computer arranged to receive data for eachflitch of the plurality of flitches from the first scanner system and todetermine a sawing solution to be implemented at the edger for eachflitch and to receive data for each flitch of the plurality of flitchesfrom the second scanner system and adjust cutting tools of the edger toimplement the sawing solution based on the received data from the secondscanner system.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, when a pair ofdogs of the two or more pairs of dogs is in the ready position, the pairof dogs further moves between a grip position in which the pair of dogscontact a flitch in the transfer ready position and a release positionin which the pair dogs is spaced from a flitch in the transfer readyposition.
 6. A method of feeding flitches into an edger, comprising:placing first and second flitches each having a length and a width ontoa flitch carriage assembly, the placed first and second flitches beingspaced from each other; moving the first and second flitches laterallytoward an edger infeed mechanism; moving the first flitch laterally fromthe flitch carriage assembly to an edger ready position that is apredetermined distance above the edger infeed mechanism; releasing thefirst flitch onto the edger infeed mechanism; carrying the first flitchon the edger infeed mechanism in a direction that is parallel with thelength of the flitch and that is toward the edger; moving the secondflitch laterally from the flitch carriage assembly to the edger readyposition such that the second flitch is in the edger ready positionwhile a portion of the first flitch is directly below the second flitch;retaining the second flitch in the edger ready position for apredetermined time after the first flitch is no longer directly belowthe second flitch; releasing the second flitch onto the edger infeedmechanism at the end of the predetermined time; and carrying the secondflitch on the edger infeed mechanism in the direction that is parallelwith the length of the flitch and that is toward the edger.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, further comprising: scanning the first and secondflitches while the first and second flitches remain on the flitchcarriage assembly; and producing a three-dimensional digital model ofthe first and second flitches in a computer on the basis of the dataobtained by scanning the first and second flitches.
 8. The method ofclaim 6, further comprising: scanning the first and second flitcheswhile the first and second flitches are on the edger infeed mechanism;and producing a three-dimensional digital model of the first and secondflitches in a computer on the basis of the data obtained by scanning thefirst and second flitches.
 9. The method of claim 6, further comprising:scanning the first and second flitches while the first and secondflitches remain on the flitch carriage assembly; producing athree-dimensional digital model of the first and second flitches in acomputer on the basis of the data obtained by scanning the first andsecond flitches on the flitch carriage assembly; scanning the first andsecond flitches while the first and second flitches are on the edgerinfeed mechanism; and confirming the position of the first and secondflitches on the edger infeed mechanism on the basis of the data obtainedby scanning the first and second flitches on the edger infeed mechanism.10. The method of claim 6, wherein the predetermined time includessufficient time for a saw blade of the edger to be repositioned asrequired to saw the second flitch, after the first flitch has been sawnand has cleared the saw blade of the edger, and before the second flitchengages the saw blade of the edger.
 11. The method of claim 6, furthercomprising: determining, from the three-dimensional digital model of thefirst and second flitches, a set of dimensions of a preferred set ofboards that can be produced by utilizing the edger to cut the first andsecond flitches; and positioning a plurality of saw blades of the edgerto respective positions in the edger so as to cut the first and secondflitches to produce the preferred set of boards, before the edger infeedmechanism carries the first and second flitches into engagement by thesaw blades of the edger.
 12. The method of claim 6, wherein moving thefirst and second flitches laterally from the flitch carriage assembly tothe edger ready position includes gripping the first and second flitcheson opposed transverse sides of the first and second flitches.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, wherein releasing the first and second flitches ontothe edger infeed mechanism includes releasing the grip on the opposedtransverse sides of the first and second flitches to allow the first andsecond flitches to fall onto the edger infeed mechanism.
 14. The methodof claim 6, wherein moving the second flitch laterally from the flitchcarriage assembly to the edger ready position includes moving, via afirst set of fetchers and when the first and second flitches are above apredetermined length, the second flitch laterally from the flitchcarriage assembly such that the second flitch is in the edger readyposition while a portion of the first flitch is directly below thesecond flitch.